Press release from United Donations Organization
Hurricane Hermine brought pollution in lieu of disaster — and in honor of International Coastal Cleanup Day, United Donations Organization (uDo) is hosting a beach cleanup in Sea Bright this Saturday, September 17.
The uDo organization is working with the nationally recognized, Sandy Hook-based ocean advocacy nonprofit Clean Ocean Action. COA has led one of the nation’s longest running beach cleanup efforts, the Beach Sweeps, which are hosted semiannually and which allow the volunteers to become “citizen scientists” as they record the debris removed.
This effort serves as a leading example for how local businesses and charities can work with local government. The Borough of Sea Bright is showing great support by helping to facilitate the community initiative. By the end of the day on September 17, the beaches of Sea Bright will be cleaned and its dunes repaired.
Since 1984, Clean Ocean Action has identified and reduced sources of pollution through research, public education, policy, and citizen action to ensure cleaner, safer beaches and water quality. United Donations Organization distributes eco-friendly oral hygiene products to support the community’s youth with local nonprofit partners.
United Donations Organization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has a goal to raise $10,000 with this community effort. Every $10 donated to the United Donations Organization equals a year supply (four) of bio-based toothbrushes. and two big tubes of toothpaste (each tube lasts six months).
The partners will also be providing oral hygiene education and health resources for kids that need it, but whose parents can’t afford it. One thousand children and teens from the community are getting dental care sponsorships as a direct result of this beach cleanup.
Volunteers will perform cleanups of Sea Bright South (from Driftwood Beach Club south to Monmouth Beach), and Sea Bright North (from Ship Ahoy Beach Club north to Sandy Hook). Clean up volunteers should report to the main Sea Bright beach (1099 Ocean Avenue) between 9 and 10 a.m. COA strongly suggests that volunteers wear hard-soled shoes and gloves.
“We challenge citizens to ‘Kick the Plastic Habit’ and reduce their single-use plastic consumption through environmental and sustainable products, such as uDo toothbrushes,” said COA Development Director Tory Woods. “At the 2015 Beach Sweeps, over 75 percent of debris removed were single-use plastics.
“In addition to this cleanup, we invite all volunteers and ocean advocates to join us at COA’s statewide Beach Sweeps on Saturday, October 22, which is hosted at over 70 locations.”
This endeavor is being sponsored by 25 small businesses, mostly from Sea Bright. Sponsors have contributed monetarily to provide local children with their dental care needs, and also in-kind for complimentary food, beverages, and apparel for volunteers. The post-event after party is hosted by and held at Surfrider Beach Club.
People in Monmouth County who are interested in both sponsoring children’s dental care needs and supporting uDo’s call to action for volunteers to clean the beach are asked to contact [email protected] or call (732)704-HOPE (4673). The uDo organization is also accepting contributions at P.O. Box 751 in Holmdel, NJ 07733, or online at www.udogive.com.
Event details for September 17:
8– 9 a.m. Yoga on the beach with Instructor Amanda Schweer
9 – 11 a.m. Organizing Volunteers report to Sea Bright main beach (1099 Ocean Ave.)
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Beach clean up
1 – 4 p.m. After party at Surfrider Beach Club (931 Ocean Avenue), with live music by Jimmy Shoez and The Magooz, The Jukebox Criminals, and the Ian Bamberger Trio.
